Villarreal Seeks First UEFA Win Against Pafos FC

Limassol, Cyprus – Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral addressed the media Tuesday at Limassol Stadium, highlighting his team’s aim for their first victory in the UEFA Champions League. The match against Pafos FC is set for later this week.

In his pre-match press conference, Marcelino expressed confidence in his squad’s abilities, stating, “We would love to get our first victory, which we’ve deserved in previous games but haven’t achieved yet. We know it won’t be easy, but that’s our goal. We have the quality, the capability, and the conviction to make it happen.”

Having faced strong opponents like Tottenham, Juventus, and Manchester City early in the group stage, Marcelino acknowledged the challenges posed by Pafos FC. He stated, “We have to respect our opponent because they’re a good team. We need to stay focused for the full 90 minutes and perform at our best.”

Describing the fixture as a “test of maturity,” Marcelino emphasized the importance of showcasing their potential. He added, “Our obligation is not necessarily to win, but to play at our best level and make full use of our potential. We’ve shown in all competitions that we can perform at a very high level, so I believe we have real chances to win against Pafos.”

Looking forward to the match, he anticipated a demanding encounter. “I think it’s going to be a difficult match, with plenty of duels and second balls. They like to press high. They also defend well and concede very few goals,” Marcelino said.

Joining Marcelino in the press room was midfielder Dani Parejo, who echoed the coach’s sentiments about the upcoming match. “It’s going to be a tough and demanding game. If they’re in this competition, it’s for a reason. Pafos are a dangerous team that like to have possession and attack,” Parejo noted.

Parejo made it clear that Villarreal must perform exceptionally to secure a positive result, asserting, “We know they’re a good side, and to beat them we’ll need to do things very well. It’s a very important game for us, and our only focus is to be competitive and to win.”